SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a bill to allow the Utah Department of Transportation to erect highway safety signs to recognize fallen Utah Highway Patrol troopers. “Not only do we recognize these troopers, it reminds people what’s going on on these highways,” said Sen. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, of the signage. The signs include the name of a fallen trooper, reminders to … Continue reading»

The Utah Senate soundly defeated a bill Monday evening that had been made public for a just few hours and had no public hearing. SB292, sponsored by Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Lehi, was intended to help protect businesses that have made considerable capital investments into the construction or improvement of airport hangars. The bill, according to floor debate, was aimed at addressing a dispute between a lessee at Salt … Continue reading»

SALT LAKE CITY –The Utah Senate approved a bill Monday intended to enhance safety around rail crossings. Sen. Karen Mayne, sponsor of a substituted version of SB195, said the legislation is intended to curb the high number of motor-vehicle accidents with TRAX and FrontRunner trains. In 2011 alone, there were 24 motor-vehicle crashes with TRAX trains, 10 of which involved drivers that attempted to go around safety devices … Continue reading»

SALT LAKE CITY — Voters in some Utah counties may be able to vote by mail rather than going to ballot box. The House approved a bill Monday that would allow counties the option of vote-by-mail. Voting in person would also remain as an option. The lieutenant governor’s office would study the practice to determine whether to take it statewide. Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, sponsor of HB172, said … Continue reading»

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate unanimously passed a bill Monday that would permit managers of restaurants and high-end hotels to sample wine and spirits at events overseen by state alcohol regulators. An amended version of SB119, sponsored by Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, moves to the Utah House for further consideration. The bill requires industry representatives to pay the cost of the Utah Department of Alcoholic … Continue reading»

SALT LAKE CITY — The Senate gave preliminary approval Monday afternoon to a bill to further regulate cosmetic medical procedures and use of certain instruments to perform them. Sen. Peter Knudson, R-Brigham City, said SB40 was a “compromise ” bill among “a lot of different people that provide a lot of different levels of health care in our state.” But Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, said despite the changes, … Continue reading»

SALT LAKE CITY — Two longtime Democratic lawmakers announced Monday they will not be returning to the Legislature. House Minority Leader David Litvack, D-Salt Lake, and Sen. Karen Morgan, D-Cottonwood, have decided not seek re-election. “It has been a great honor and privilege to serve the citizens of my community in the Utah Legislature for the past 14 years. I will deeply miss working with them, my colleagues, … Continue reading»

SALT LAKE CITY — A fund for fighting the federal government over control of thousands of roads on public lands could get a $1 million boost. The Utah House voted unanimously Monday to transfer the money into the state’s Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office. Utah recently declared intent to file a federal lawsuit over access to 19,000 rural roads known as RS2477 roads. “We feel like we’re going to … Continue reading»

SALT LAKE CITY — State lawmakers may study how to help war veterans reintegrate into civilian life. The Utah House unanimously passed a bill that would create a 15-member task force to address employment, personal finances, suicide prevention and other issues. It would also create a plan to help transitioning veterans. Rep. Tim Cosgrove, D-Murray, said he doesn’t want retuning veterans to experience what they did after Vietnam. … Continue reading»

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate passed SB208 Monday, a bill that would allow Utah to join an interstate compact to opt out of federal health care reform laws. The bill, which passed the Senate on a vote of 21-8, will be forwarded to the House. Under the Healthcare Compact, the state would assume the federal funding for and oversight of programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and … Continue reading»